Grammar

Check the style guide of the journal you wish to submit to, to ensure that your paper is consistent with the prescribed style. If there is no specific style guide, go through the journal’s content and familiarize yourself with the style used, such as capitalization, paragraph format, font etc.

Use formal language

Many of us think in our mother tongue. While writing, however, this is likely to result in incorrect sentence formations. Check for such errors as you write.

Do not write as you would in a medical register. Use articles (a, an, the) wherever necessary, to complete your sentences; e.g., the patient came to the clinic; not patient came to clinic.

Avoid using slang/colloquial language that you may use in college, e.g., breast cancer, not CA Breast.

Make clear comparisons

When drawing comparisons, make it clear as to what or who you are comparing with; do not assume that the reader knows. E.g., We found that the virus affected children more [than adults].

Avoid jargons and cliches

Avoid the use of jargons. If you must, explain them.

Avoid clichés. “As you may already be aware…”, “It is a well-known fact that…” are clichés. Get to the point.

Use simple language

Keep sentences short. Readers may lose track of the meaning if the sentence is too long.

Use the active voice and first person. Traditionally, authors have used passive voice, but readers prefer the active voice. E.g., "We found that..." not "It was found that..."

Reach out to the readers

Be gender-inclusive in your writing. Do not use the general pronoun 'he' to include women. Instead, use 'they'. If that is not possible in certain cases, use 'he or she'.